As the health and well-being of our guests and crew is of the utmost importance, Norwegian Cruise Line will institute changes to its smoking policy for all sailings on or after November 1, 2014. The specific changes prohibit smoking on stateroom balconies and limit smoking in the casino to players. On Norwegian Getaway and Norwegian Breakaway, smoking on The Waterfront will be permitted on the starboard side, except by the outdoor dining areas. Public areas throughout all our ships are smoke-free. If you smoke regular or electronic cigarettes, you can do so in designated areas only. If you prefer pipes or cigars, you can smoke in the Cigar Bar or designated smoking lounge. Smoking cigarettes, electronic cigarettes, cigars and pipes is permitted in outdoor public guest spaces and open decks where designated by the ship's management based on the ship's specific characteristics and arrangement. Smoking, including electronic cigarettes, is prohibited in or near venues serving food, the jogging track, outdoor sporting venues, The Haven outdoor areas and children's pool areas. On ships with The Waterfront, smoking is permitted on the starboard side excluding any food service areas. Active Casino players may smoke cigarettes in the Casino during gaming hours. Cigarette smoking is not permitted in any other indoor venue or location. Guests are not permitted to smoke cigarettes, e-cigarettes, cigars or pipes in their staterooms or on their balconies. Cigar and pipe smoking in staterooms and on balconies is prohibited. Smoking inside your stateroom or on your balcony will result in a $250 cleaning charge added to your onboard account. If cigarette burns on furniture, linens, towels or carpeting are detected; guests will be advised and charged for the damages. Electronic cigarettes cannot be used in public areas where there is a No Smoking policy in force; simply because these cigarettes look so realistic and therefore other guests' perception is that we are not enforcing the No Smoking rule. For additional information and to book Norwegian Cruise contact TheCruiseOutlet.com for exclusive programs and savings at 800-775-1884
Wednesday, July 16, 2014
Norwegian Cruise Line updates NO smoking on ships
As the health and well-being of our guests and crew is of the utmost importance, Norwegian Cruise Line will institute changes to its smoking policy for all sailings on or after November 1, 2014. The specific changes prohibit smoking on stateroom balconies and limit smoking in the casino to players. On Norwegian Getaway and Norwegian Breakaway, smoking on The Waterfront will be permitted on the starboard side, except by the outdoor dining areas. Public areas throughout all our ships are smoke-free. If you smoke regular or electronic cigarettes, you can do so in designated areas only. If you prefer pipes or cigars, you can smoke in the Cigar Bar or designated smoking lounge. Smoking cigarettes, electronic cigarettes, cigars and pipes is permitted in outdoor public guest spaces and open decks where designated by the ship's management based on the ship's specific characteristics and arrangement. Smoking, including electronic cigarettes, is prohibited in or near venues serving food, the jogging track, outdoor sporting venues, The Haven outdoor areas and children's pool areas. On ships with The Waterfront, smoking is permitted on the starboard side excluding any food service areas. Active Casino players may smoke cigarettes in the Casino during gaming hours. Cigarette smoking is not permitted in any other indoor venue or location. Guests are not permitted to smoke cigarettes, e-cigarettes, cigars or pipes in their staterooms or on their balconies. Cigar and pipe smoking in staterooms and on balconies is prohibited. Smoking inside your stateroom or on your balcony will result in a $250 cleaning charge added to your onboard account. If cigarette burns on furniture, linens, towels or carpeting are detected; guests will be advised and charged for the damages. Electronic cigarettes cannot be used in public areas where there is a No Smoking policy in force; simply because these cigarettes look so realistic and therefore other guests' perception is that we are not enforcing the No Smoking rule. For additional information and to book Norwegian Cruise contact TheCruiseOutlet.com for exclusive programs and savings at 800-775-1884
Monday, July 14, 2014
Celebrity Silhouette is Slowed by Propulsion Problem
Celebrity Silhouette has a propulsion problem, slowing its top speed and forcing the premium line to adjust some of the ship's itineraries. While the issue does not impact the ship's manueverability they indicate there is no risk to the safety of crew and passengers, the propulsion issue means the ship can't get from Point A to Point B on the normal time schedule. Thus, Celebrity has been forced to modify itineraries and cut short many port visits. Through November, at least, the following itineraries are slightly modified:
July 27 and August 24, seven-night Greek Isles voyages: Shortened port calls.
August 3, 17-night Greek Isles and Turkey: Shortened port calls
September 12, 11-night Eastern Mediterranean & Greek Isles: Shortened port calls
October 4, 14-night Holy Land: Shortened port calls
November 1, 15-night Italian Passage: Shortened port calls
It's not yet known when the issue will be corrected. TheCruiseOutlet.com is keeping clients advised and those desiring to sail on the Silhouette in the future are being advised of the problem. For more information, contact TheCruiseOutlet.com at info@thecruiseoutlet.com
Amazing Exclusive Cruise Ship Enclaves
Those who love cruising on mega-ships but have a taste for luxury are in luck. Many contemporary and premium lines have been splurging in recent years on lavish suites in private ship-within-a-ship enclaves. Far beyond cramped cabins, these suites are aimed at loyal customers looking to splurge for a 50th birthday or a 25th wedding anniversary, the grandparents taking the extended family on a multi-generational trip, or perhaps the Pied Piper of a major group. These behind-locked-doors enclaves offer a respite from the busy, noisy or crowded areas of the ship.
In addition to the spacious accommodations, guests also get extra perks such as butler or concierge service, free drinks, and private restaurants and pools.
The MSC Yacht Club includes a private pool, lounge and sun deck. MSC Cruises offers the private and lavish MSC Yacht Club on the Miami-based MSC Divina as well as MSC Preziosa, MSC Splendida and MSC Fantasia. Guests get a key card to enter the Yacht Club and its Top Sail Lounge (serving complimentary drinks and snacks) and swimming pool surrounded by a café and bar. The curved main staircase sparkles with Swarovski crystals. Theres also a private restaurant called Le Muse on the other side of the ship.
The Celebrity Reflections top suite includes an airy bathroom with an all-glass shower.
Celebrity Cruises’ most lavish accommodation is the two-bedroom Reflection Suite on the Celebrity Reflection. Located in a private area accessible by key card, the suite measures a whopping 1,636 square feet and has a private, 194-square-foot veranda and has a bathroom with an all-glass shower cantilevered over the side of the ship. Theres more to come: Starting in April, those who book high-end Royal, Penthouse and Reflection suites will be able to dine in a private restaurant as well as all the ships specialty restaurants at no additional cost. The new Suite Class experience also will include a VIP lounge, complimentary premium beverages, unlimited Internet access, priority check-in and embarkation.
The Haven by Norwegian includes a private pool.
Norwegian Cruise Line offers a private enclave of luxury suites called The Haven by Norwegian on all Jewel- and Breakaway-class ships, as well as Norwegian Epic. The Haven, which can only be entered by key card, has a private restaurant, 24-hour butler service, a private pool, hot tub, fitness area, a concierge, dining areas and service from the Courtyard Valet. Other perks for Haven guests: preferred seating at the live shows, priority embarkation and disembarkation, and priority boarding on tenders to shore.
The Queens Grill Master Suite on the Queen Elizabeth offers plenty of space for entertaining.
Cunard Line has long offered its upscale Queens and Princess Grill-class accommodations and restaurants. Those who book the suites also can dine in the single-seating Princess Grill and Queens Grill restaurants. Other perks include butler or concierge service, priority embarkation, pre-dinner canapés and in-suite dining from Queens Grill menu.
For more information on these luxury suites as well as other upscale cruise line products contact TheCruiseOutlet.com, exclusive Cruise Agents at 800-775-1884 or email at info@thecruiseoutlet.com
Wednesday, July 9, 2014
American Queen repositions due to Mississippi River flooding
The American Queen Steamboat Co. is moving the 436-passenger paddlewheeler American Queen to the Ohio River for the remainder of July due to high water levels on the Upper Mississippi River. Torrential downpours in recent weeks in the Midwest have resulted in flooding along stretches of the Mississippi River. Consequently, the American Queen is moving to the Ohio River for its next three sailings, which will impact the originally scheduled July 9 sailing between Cincinnati and St. Louis and the July 15 and 23 sailings between St. Louis and St. Paul, Minn. "Sometimes river conditions are outside our control, Ted Sykes said in a statement. "We recognize the need to cruise on the Ohio River for our July 2014 itineraries and will then return to our regularly scheduled itineraries." The new itineraries will sail between Cincinnati and Paducah, Ky., calling on Cave-In-Rock, Ill.; Henderson, Ky.; Louisville, Ky.; Madison, Ind.; and Augusta, Ky. Guests on the July 9 voyage will travel by motorcoach from Paducah to St. Louis at the conclusion of the sailing and resume their return home as scheduled. The July 15 pre-cruise hotel stay in St. Louis remains, and guests will be transferred to Paducah to join the American Queen. The July 23 voyage will now depart Cincinnati, replacing St. Paul, and details on that itinerary will be available shortly. Guests booked on the July 9 or 15 itineraries have the option to stay on their deviated voyage and receive a $100 onboard credit, per person, and a $500 future cruise credit per stateroom. Guests preferring to book an Upper Mississippi River voyage in late 2014 may roll forward their booking with a one stateroom category upgrade (subject to availability). The Mississippi River continued to gradually rise on Tuesday, the Associated Press reported, but overnight rainfall wasn't as severe as predicted. For more information and to book on these sailings or other sailings contact TheCruiseOutlet.com at info@thecruiseoutlet.com or call directly (203) 288-1884
Carnival bans Smoking and Raises Gratuities on ships
Carnival Cruise Lines is banning smoking in all staterooms & on stateroom balconies, effective Oct. 9, and they are also increasing its tips to $12 per person, per day. The updated tobacco policy, announced prohibits smoking inside the staterooms. Guests who smoke in staterooms or on balconies will be charged a $250 cleaning fee. Smoking will still be allowed in designated open deck areas, as well as night clubs and certain areas within the casino and casino bar. Those comments were echoed by many others. Still, some threatened to cancel. “If I can’t smoke on my balcony on my cruise I just booked I will be cancelling my cruise thank you,” wrote one person. Heald said the Oct. 9 effective date gives guests time to cancel outside the penalty period. Guests booked for sailings Oct. 9 and onward can cancel before the final payment due date and receive their deposit back, Gratuities are automatically added to Sail & Sign onboard accounts, although guests can always increase or decrease the amount once on board.
Tuesday, July 8, 2014
Oceania Cruises to host World Premier!
Oceania Cruises to host World Premier!
Guests sailing on Riviera's October 29, 2014 voyage from Athens to Monte Carlo will be in for a special treat: the world premier of the highly-anticipated PBS documentary series, "The Italian Americans." This special 10-day Enchanting Riviera voyage will provide an opportunity to interact with producers, writers and directors involved in the development of this exceptional new series, all while traversing the Mediterranean and Italian coastline aboard, the Riviera. Narrated by Academy Award-nominated actor Stanley Tucci, The Italian Americans consists of four, one-hour documentary films that chronicle the history of Italian Americans from the mid-19th century to present day. During the cruise, filmmakers will host screenings for each individual one-hour episode. Prior to the showing, filmmakers will provide compelling insight into the making of the film, and they will engage with guests during question-and-answer sessions at the end of each screening. These are complimentary experiences available to all guests sailing. Special experiences with limited capacity, such as private dinners and intimate cocktail functions tlinewith guest speakers, will only be available for guests booked specifically on The Italian Americans package. In addition, exclusive shore excursions tying into The Italian Americans theme will be available for guests booked to purchase. The Italian Americans package is available at no additional cost for guests booking with TheCruiseOutlet.com the Enchanting Riviera voyage. Just call TheCruiseOutlet.com at 800-775-1884 to make a reservation for this exciting cruise. Space is limited to the first 300 guests who sign up for this special program on the cruise. Email the TheCruiseOutlet.com at info@thecruiseoutlet.com for additional assistance.
Guests sailing on Riviera's October 29, 2014 voyage from Athens to Monte Carlo will be in for a special treat: the world premier of the highly-anticipated PBS documentary series, "The Italian Americans." This special 10-day Enchanting Riviera voyage will provide an opportunity to interact with producers, writers and directors involved in the development of this exceptional new series, all while traversing the Mediterranean and Italian coastline aboard, the Riviera. Narrated by Academy Award-nominated actor Stanley Tucci, The Italian Americans consists of four, one-hour documentary films that chronicle the history of Italian Americans from the mid-19th century to present day. During the cruise, filmmakers will host screenings for each individual one-hour episode. Prior to the showing, filmmakers will provide compelling insight into the making of the film, and they will engage with guests during question-and-answer sessions at the end of each screening. These are complimentary experiences available to all guests sailing. Special experiences with limited capacity, such as private dinners and intimate cocktail functions tlinewith guest speakers, will only be available for guests booked specifically on The Italian Americans package. In addition, exclusive shore excursions tying into The Italian Americans theme will be available for guests booked to purchase. The Italian Americans package is available at no additional cost for guests booking with TheCruiseOutlet.com the Enchanting Riviera voyage. Just call TheCruiseOutlet.com at 800-775-1884 to make a reservation for this exciting cruise. Space is limited to the first 300 guests who sign up for this special program on the cruise. Email the TheCruiseOutlet.com at info@thecruiseoutlet.com for additional assistance.
Thursday, May 22, 2014
Norwegian Cruise Lines to invest over $250 million on upgrades and additions to existing fleet
The Norwegian NEXT program will focuse on upgrading the existing fleet, with the goal of building on the success of the two new ships: Norwegian Breakaway and Norwegian Getaway.
Norwegian NEXT encompasses ship revitalizations, dining enhancements, new experiences in entertainment and guest activities, as well as innovations in technology, new tropical destinations and the lines commitment to the environment. Through 2015, the company plans to revitalize a number of vessels, including Norwegian Jewel, along with Norwegian Pearl, Norwegian Sky and Norwegian Spirit. Norwegian’s dining experience at sea with its Freestyle Dining concept, which will have new menus in the complimentary dining rooms and Garden Cafes to offer more variety and choice. New food and beverage venues are also being introduced across the fleet. Norwegian Jewel is to be retrofitted with the complimentary dining venue OSheehans Neighborhood Bar & Grill. The line is also adding the Sugarcane Mojito Bar to Norwegian Jewel, adjacent to the new location of the Moderno Churrascaria restaurant. In addition, treats from Carlos Bake Shop by Buddy Valastro, star of TLCs Cake Boss and Next Great Baker, will be included on all ships.
Norwegian is also making enhancements to its beverage program. A partnership with the Michael Mondavi Family introduced a new wine menu across the fleet and the family is curating wine concepts for the upcoming new ships. A new destination-based handcrafted beverage program, developed in partnership with James Beard Award-nominated mixologist Gabriel Orta of Miami-based Bar Lab Cocktails, is bringing guests seasonal specialty cocktails with a local twist.
The lines new H2GLOW Party, first introduced on Norwegian Breakaway and Norwegian Getaway, will also be rolled out fleet wide. The line is producing a series of new shows. From acrobats in Elements, to the 15-foot revolving showgirl staircase in Paradise to a full rock band in Rock of Ages, Norwegians entertainment will be customized for every ship and itinerary with line-ups that will change regularly. With a focus on family, Norwegians five ships that include exclusive Nickelodeon entertainment will offer new activities, dining experiences, and more ways to interact with Nickelodeon favorites like SpongeBob SquarePants.
On board, there is wireless internet access from bow to stern along with interactive digital displays that are being added. These touch screen signs will allow guests to order specialty items, get directions and reserve dining and shore excursions simply with a scan of their stateroom key. Guests can also take advantage of Norwegians iConcierge mobile application to manage their cruise experience and stay in touch with fellow cruisers and family at home.
The line is also making an effort to reduce its impact on the environment through its Eco-Smart Cruising programs and will install exhaust gas scrubbers on six ships, in addition to those that are already being fitted on Pride of America and the companys two new builds, Norwegian Escape and Norwegian Bliss.
Enhancements continue on the lines private island in the Bahamas, Great Stirrup Cay, with the opening of the Bacardi Bar. In addition, the line is developing a new eco-friendly cruise destination, Harvest Caye, in southern Belize. The 75-acre experience is planned to open in fall 2015 and will offer guests the option to take shore excursions on the mainland or enjoy the shopping village, water sports or beach area on the island.
For more information, contact TheCruiseOutlet.com at info@thecruiseoutlet.com
Norwegian NEXT encompasses ship revitalizations, dining enhancements, new experiences in entertainment and guest activities, as well as innovations in technology, new tropical destinations and the lines commitment to the environment. Through 2015, the company plans to revitalize a number of vessels, including Norwegian Jewel, along with Norwegian Pearl, Norwegian Sky and Norwegian Spirit. Norwegian’s dining experience at sea with its Freestyle Dining concept, which will have new menus in the complimentary dining rooms and Garden Cafes to offer more variety and choice. New food and beverage venues are also being introduced across the fleet. Norwegian Jewel is to be retrofitted with the complimentary dining venue OSheehans Neighborhood Bar & Grill. The line is also adding the Sugarcane Mojito Bar to Norwegian Jewel, adjacent to the new location of the Moderno Churrascaria restaurant. In addition, treats from Carlos Bake Shop by Buddy Valastro, star of TLCs Cake Boss and Next Great Baker, will be included on all ships.
Norwegian is also making enhancements to its beverage program. A partnership with the Michael Mondavi Family introduced a new wine menu across the fleet and the family is curating wine concepts for the upcoming new ships. A new destination-based handcrafted beverage program, developed in partnership with James Beard Award-nominated mixologist Gabriel Orta of Miami-based Bar Lab Cocktails, is bringing guests seasonal specialty cocktails with a local twist.
The lines new H2GLOW Party, first introduced on Norwegian Breakaway and Norwegian Getaway, will also be rolled out fleet wide. The line is producing a series of new shows. From acrobats in Elements, to the 15-foot revolving showgirl staircase in Paradise to a full rock band in Rock of Ages, Norwegians entertainment will be customized for every ship and itinerary with line-ups that will change regularly. With a focus on family, Norwegians five ships that include exclusive Nickelodeon entertainment will offer new activities, dining experiences, and more ways to interact with Nickelodeon favorites like SpongeBob SquarePants.
On board, there is wireless internet access from bow to stern along with interactive digital displays that are being added. These touch screen signs will allow guests to order specialty items, get directions and reserve dining and shore excursions simply with a scan of their stateroom key. Guests can also take advantage of Norwegians iConcierge mobile application to manage their cruise experience and stay in touch with fellow cruisers and family at home.
The line is also making an effort to reduce its impact on the environment through its Eco-Smart Cruising programs and will install exhaust gas scrubbers on six ships, in addition to those that are already being fitted on Pride of America and the companys two new builds, Norwegian Escape and Norwegian Bliss.
Enhancements continue on the lines private island in the Bahamas, Great Stirrup Cay, with the opening of the Bacardi Bar. In addition, the line is developing a new eco-friendly cruise destination, Harvest Caye, in southern Belize. The 75-acre experience is planned to open in fall 2015 and will offer guests the option to take shore excursions on the mainland or enjoy the shopping village, water sports or beach area on the island.
For more information, contact TheCruiseOutlet.com at info@thecruiseoutlet.com
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